How to manage soybeans during the flowering period? An analysis of the latest management key points

After soybeans begin flowering, they enter a period in which vegetative growth and reproductive growth overlap and occur together. At this time, temperatures are high, light is strong, and the plants grow relatively quickly, making excessive vegetative growth and lodging extremely likely. So how should soybeans be managed during the flowering period? Let's take a look.

1. Intertillage and hilling

After soybeans begin flowering, they reach the stage when they need to absorb nutrients. At this time, lodging prevention measures are needed, and intertillage and hilling should be carried out. Intertillage should be done before soybean flowering closes the rows, maintaining good soil permeability, which is beneficial to root development and increases lateral roots, so that individual development and population structure adapt to each other, achieving robust development and the goals of lodging resistance and increased yield.

2. Drainage and irrigation

The soybean flowering period is precisely a key period for water demand. If soil moisture exceeds 80% of field capacity, the growth and development of soybeans will be affected, so after heavy rain, standing water in the field should be drained promptly to reduce soil moisture and air humidity and promote normal plant growth. At the end of flowering, vegetative growth reaches its peak and metabolism is vigorous. At this time, if soil water content is relatively low, it will cause a large amount of flower and pod drop, so irrigation should be done promptly according to soil dryness and wetness.

3. Topdressing

The flowering period requires the consumption of large amounts of nutrients. If fertilizer is lacking during the flowering period, then in the middle and late growth stages there will be phenomena such as few flowers and pods, more shedding, pale leaf color, and thin and weak plants. These are obvious symptoms of fertilizer deficiency. At this time, topdressing should be done promptly to maintain soil nutrients, but soil fertilization takes effect relatively slowly, so it can be carried out together with foliar fertilization, with better results.

4. Pesticide spraying

During the flowering period, soybeans have relatively weak resistance to the external environment, and at this time if pesticides are sprayed, it is unavoidable that pollen and stigmas will be harmed, causing flower buds to drop and increasing shriveled grains, often leading to a yield reduction of 10%-15%. If pests and diseases occur during the flowering period and pesticides must be used, it is best to do so after 4 p.m., and the dosage and concentration of the pesticide must be strictly controlled.

The above is an introduction to the key points of soybean flowering period management. We hope it can help you. If you want to learn more related knowledge, please stay tuned to us.